Are prime lenses still essential for photography today?

In the world of photography, the age-old debate between prime and zoom lenses continues to rage on. The photographer Kalum Carter, renowned for his work in photography and filmmaking, shares his insights on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of lens, particularly in terms of versatility, optical quality, and creative freedom.

Prime lenses, with their fixed focal length, offer exceptional optical performance. They are easier to design and optimise, resulting in sharper images and fewer optical aberrations, even in relatively inexpensive models. Additionally, prime lenses often have wider maximum apertures, allowing better low-light performance and more control over depth of field, enabling creamy bokeh and selective focus that enhance creative possibilities.

On the other hand, zoom lenses, which cover a range of focal lengths, provide unmatched versatility. They allow photographers to quickly recompose without changing position or lenses, making them ideal for dynamic environments such as events, weddings, travel, and wildlife photography. The convenience of having multiple focal lengths in one lens means less gear to carry and faster reaction to changing scenes, which can be crucial in fast-paced shooting situations.

However, prime lenses do have their drawbacks. With a fixed focal length, the photographer must physically move to change composition or switch lenses to cover other focal lengths. This can be less convenient in fast-changing environments or when mobility is limited. Using primes often means carrying and swapping multiple lenses to cover a variety of needs, adding complexity and potential inconvenience compared to a single zoom lens.

Zoom lenses, while versatile, tend to have lower sharpness and more optical compromises across their focal range compared to primes. While high-end zooms minimise this gap, primes typically remain sharper and better at wide apertures. Most zoom lenses also have smaller maximum apertures, limiting performance in low light and the ability to create shallow depth of field effects.

From a creative standpoint, prime lenses encourage creativity through forcing the photographer to move and think more deliberately about composition and perspective, often resulting in more intentional and artistic images. Zoom lenses offer more compositional flexibility on the fly, enabling quick framing changes that can capture spontaneous moments but might reduce the incentive to explore composition deeply.

In conclusion, prime lenses excel in optical quality, low-light performance, and artistic control, while zoom lenses provide unmatched versatility and convenience. Photographers often benefit from using both types complementarily depending on the shooting scenario. On systems like Fujifilm's GFX, where lens changes aren't always quick, a sharp, responsive zoom lens can be the most logical choice.

The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm lens, often overlooked even by GFX users, has become the photographer's surprise choice on assignment. Paired with high-resolution sensors, modern zoom lenses deliver results on par with many primes. Using a single zoom lens for an entire day feels creatively liberating, offering a newfound flexibility that can inspire fresh perspectives and innovative compositions.

For those seeking guidance on the best telephoto lenses and the best standard zoom lenses, the article suggests checking out relevant guides. The Digital Camera World Newsletter is also available for subscribers who wish to stay updated on the latest developments in the photography industry.

Kalum Carter's work highlights the power of visual storytelling, fostering an appreciation for the impact of photography. With over 10 years of experience in visual storytelling, he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with the medium, showcasing the versatility and potential of both prime and zoom lenses in the hands of a skilled photographer.

In discussing the advantages of prime lenses, Kalum Carter notes their exceptional optical performance due to easier design and optimization.
Prime lenses offer wider maximum apertures, providing better low-light performance and more control over depth of field.
On the other hand, zoom lenses, with their versatile range of focal lengths, are convenient for fast-paced shooting situations like events, travel, and wildlife photography.
However, prime lenses require the photographer to physically move to change composition, which can be less convenient in certain environments.
Zoom lenses, while convenient, may have lower sharpness and optical compromises across their focal range compared to prime lenses.
From a creative standpoint, prime lenses encourage photographers to think more deliberately about composition, fostering a more intentional and artistic approach to photography.
In modern systems like Fujifilm's GFX, where lens changes may not be quick, a responsive zoom lens can be a logical choice for high-resolution sensors.
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm lens has become a surprising choice for assignments, delivering results on par with many primes when paired with high-resolution sensors, offering creatives a newfound flexibility and inspiration.